Only compulsion to ally with JD(U) was to defeat BJP: Lalu

New Delhi: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has rejected speculation of a 'compulsion' behind his decision to ally with JD(U) and name Nitish Kumar as chief ministerial candidate for Bihar Assembly polls asserting that it was done to defeat the BJP.

"Does Lalu have any compulsion? Yes, my compulsion is that I don't want to allow them (RSS-BJP) to come to power. This is the compulsion," said Prasad, rejecting speculation of any rift between him and Kumar.

Prasad said secular leaders keep meeting and that the alliance of RJD-JD(U) and Congress was needed to ensure the 'pack up' of BJP from Bihar.

When told metaphorically that he had to consume poison and Nitish had walked away with the nectar, the RJD chief quipped that Lord Shankar, who had consumed poison after 'Samudra Manthan' was called great and the 'poison' did not affect him.